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Vinegar is water and a percentage of acetic acid—the latter the conversion of ethanol and oxygen, or fermentation. Humans have been using vinegar for thousands of years as a medicine, to preserve foods, to disinfect or clean, and for cooking. Modern science isn’t so sure about the benefits for wound healing or infection fighting, but it is known that vinegar may help regulate glucose; and there’s some evidence it can help with appetite control—more specifically it can help you feel full.

Cooking with vinegar is another story. It’s widely known that vinegars—especially flavored vinegars—are a culinary basic, even a treasure, for pickling, flavoring, marinating, condiments, dressings, sauces, and myriad other uses in cuisines globally. Vinegar comes in various forms and flavors; some are everyday and others are rare and expensive.

But let’s talk about apple cider vinegar—specifically raw (unfiltered, unrefined) apple cider vinegar—that maintains ‘the Mother:’ the so-called Mother good-for-you living bacteria culture (though I don’t know how alive and well it is by the time it gets to your gut).

Some claim apple cider vinegar is more elixir than pantry staple and will not only provide good health, but aid in weight loss. Let’s see.

Apple Cider Vinegar Diet Claims

There is no one trademarked “apple cider vinegar diet,” but there are no shortage of apple cider vinegar weight loss products: from apple cider vinegar books to apple cider vinegar supplements, and of course, apple cider vinegar itself. They all claim to do the same thing; aid in weight loss and fat burning.

One of the most popular is the Bragg apple cider vinegar diet, which is actually the book Apple Cider Vinegar: Miracle Health System, written by Patricia Bragg and Paul C. Bragg. [1]

In a nutshell, the near-century-old health food store Bragg is the maker of its certified Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. The vinegar is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized, and 5 percent acidity with the “Mother,” which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules. This cider vinegar is the basis for the Bragg book and “miracle health system.” [2]

You’ll soon see what users have to say about Bragg vinegar; but is it a miracle? Bragg claims its vinegar can “increase your energy, help fight diabetes, improve heart health and support fat burning and weight loss,” as per the video of an endorsement by “Dr. Axe” (viewed on YouTube nearly 800,000 times) on the Bragg homepage alerts. [3]

Apple Cider Vinegar Diets Ingredients

The ingredient list for the Bragg brand is pretty simple: fermented apples with, in the case of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar, thread-like healthy bacteria called ‘Mother.’ [2]

There are a slew of apple cider vinegar supplement pills on the market for people that don’t want to swallow apple cider vinegar. The pills—capsules or compressed tablets—are allegedly made from a powder form of apple cider vinegar (more in a moment). Different brands have different strengths, from 100 to 500 milligrams. The latter may be equal to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar—twice the often-suggested daily serving—diluted with water before drinking.

An article published in the July 2005 Journal of the American Dietetic Association characterized “apple cider vinegar products [as] advertised in the popular press and over the Internet for treatment of a variety of conditions,” but found some troubling facts about the pills/capsules. One person suffered a permanent burn of the esophagus after consuming them, and that incident led researchers to test eight different apple cider vinegar tablets. The results:

Considerable variability was found between the brands in tablet size, pH, component acid content, and label claims. Doubt remains as to whether apple cider vinegar was in fact an ingredient in the evaluated products. The inconsistency and inaccuracy in labeling, recommended dosages, and unsubstantiated health claims make it easy to question the quality of the products.[4] (emphasis added)

In other words, so-called apple cider vinegar pills are, at best, inconsistent, and at worst fraudulent and dangerous. Full stop. Do not take these pills.

The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Apple Cider Vinegar Diets

Arizona State University professor and researcher Carol Johnston knows quite a bit about the science of vinegar and its medicinal uses. Her co-authored study, published in the 2006 Medscape General Medicine journal, found that swallowing vinegar “reduces the glucose response to a carbohydrate load in healthy adults and in individuals with diabetes.” [5][6]

So, potential for pre-diabetics and helpful as an anti-glycemic when consumed with starches (carbs). And, it may aid in satiety. Johnston’s study sums it up like this:

Vinegar is widely available; it is affordable; and, as a remedy, it is appealing. But whether vinegar is a useful adjunct therapy for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes has yet to be determined. [6]

And as far as weight loss goes, I found just one human study on vinegar and weight loss. One, published in the August 2009 Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. And of the 175 subjects studied in Japan, the weight they lost was not significant. The subjects were also on a calorie and carb-restricted diet, so who’s to know? [7]

And WebMD says there is insufficient evidence for any and all claims. Which doesn’t mean it doesn’t work for what some allege it does; it simply means there’s no solid scientific evidence to back up those claims. [8]

Word on the Street about Apple Cider Vinegar Diets

It’s honestly hard to understand how science says that apple cider vinegar may have some limited health benefits, but users insist that this is a life-changing food bordering on miraculous. I have no doubt apple cider vinegar—or any vinegar—is a good food. And it may help regulate blood sugar, possibly help satiate, and be an effective if somewhat smelly household cleanser. But beyond that, I don’t know. But these users seem to know, very well. Not sure what I am missing.

The Bragg book and branded vinegar received a 4.3-star rating on Amazon out of 879 reviews. [1]

“CYA” had immediate positive effects:

… I immediately started feeling better and starting new eating habits. I know the things written in this book are true, because when I faithfully followed a healthier lifestyle, I had consistent weight loss, I felt better in the mornings, and my blood pressure was lowered. Consistency is really the key.

Helpful in so many ways! I read this book, along with my mom, who is 84. I attribute my weight loss of 32 pounds to ACV, ‘with the mother,’ along with counting carbs and other positive strategies presented by Patricia and Paul Bragg. Being a diabetic isn’t easy. The ideas proposed here will make my life much easier while making my waistline smaller!

And “PositveCurvyFitness” says apple cider vinegar helps her with everything:

This book is hands down the best book to have on hand. I am in love with ACV ESPECIALLY BRAGGS. ACV helps with so many things and love how this book gives you tips and telling you all the benefits and uses it has. I personally use ACV for everything but my favorite is drinking it in water to help with weight loss and get my metabolism going. I also use it in the bath to help with infections or just diaper rashes for my kids. I also use it diluted on my face. It works for so many things.

Note: The very last sentence on this review was “I received this [book] at discount for my unbiased honest opinion!” [11]

But there were skeptics.

One recent Amazon purchaser who bought the ebook called it “Outdated or quackery.”

“Jill Bemis” goes on to say:

The first twenty-nine pages are testimonials for Bragg System founders and system. The Table of Contents begins on page thirty. The rest of the book is broken into little sections talking about how Apple Cider Vinegar can to be used to cure a variety of ailments. Ten pages at the end are descriptions and order forms for books and other items to be ordered from the author’s company. Without any medical or scientific research to support the, this is eBook version is reminiscent of a snake oil salesperson from day gone by.

The Bragg system aside, what about an actual “apple cider vinegar diet” review?

There is the Apple Cider Vinegar Diet Handbook, which had 50 reviews and a rating of 4 stars. [13]

A fairly recent review from “Tom Carter” advises us to “read this.”

Oh boy. 2 oz Vinegar in 8 oz water and a ‘tad’ of cherry/grape juice for flavor ‘duller’. And 1/2 packet Stevia. Gulps right down. Lost 4.5 lbs in 2.5 weeks. I recommend this.

Hmm. Math. So, around 2 pounds a week give or take an ounce or two. Me, my weight fluctuates by up to 3 or 4 pounds on any given day, so I would have no way of being this precise.

There are also lots of actual apple cider vinegar brands for sale, and they and their ratings vary. But then there’s the pills. The Amazon “best seller” is a brand called Herbal Secrets. For $10 you get 120 capsules. [15]

Of 470 user ratings, this supplement earned a 4-star average. It’s allegedly apple cider vinegar powder, but it turns out, many people who bought it also bought a potent Garcinia Cambogia and Green Tea supplement as a companion.

Recent user “Michael J.” says “Go for it!”

Combined with 95% Garcinia Cambogia and Green Tea 2x per day and kicking my butt on the stair climber and tread mill I’ve lost 10 lbs in the last two weeks, from 217 to 207 lbs. Been lifting some weights to maintain as well. My wife is a nurse and she was so impressed she decided to join me with the supplements and workout routines.

The Bottom Line: Are Apple Cider Vinegar Diets Worth a Try?

Depends. It can’t hurt.

Well, let me qualify that: because of the acid, it can mess with your belly and can burn your throat or worse. And, for some diabetics, it can mess with blood sugar.

That said, for people at risk for diabetes it may do a fairly good job of keeping blood sugar levels on an even keel—and, the higher the acidity, the better the sugar control. And it may make you feel full longer, if you have a starchy food dressed with apple cider vinegar. Plus, it’s an antioxidant so there’s that.

Consuming it in a culinary way makes sense. Maybe a marinade ingredient, or on a salad with olive oil and a few sprinkles of dried—or even better, fresh—herbs in your spice rack like some oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, or sage.

Otherwise, I’m not buying into the claim that if you drink apple cider vinegar every day it will help you lose weight, even if it is 5,000 years old.

Also, I have used it as a cleaning solution. I am not a fan. Not because it doesn’t work, but because there’s a lot better options for a lovely smelling natural cleanser, like lemon. Vinegar? Nah.

*Please keep in mind that with any diet or weight loss program, individual results will vary.

This content is strictly the opinion of ConsumersCompare.org and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither ConsumersCompare.org nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.